National Bison Association Code Of Ethics

Continually strive toward the preservation, promotion and marketing of bison and the bison industry.

Advance the bison industry through improving our knowledge and skill, encouraging research and exchanging information and experiences.

Keep ourselves informed on matters affecting the bison industry in our community, the state, the nation and internationally so that we may be able to contribute responsibly to public thinking on such matters.

Pursue our professional activities with honesty and fairness while avoiding and condemning any practice that might bring discredit to our industry.

Respect and help conserve our natural and cultural heritage while striving to improve the environment and the quality of life within it.

Conduct business in a professional manner with accurate, current, and factual information so as educate and inform.

Abide by all laws of any jurisdiction within which they carry on activities as bison producers. This includes no use of growth hormones in bison.

Not use antibiotics in bison on a subtherapeutic (non-therapeutic) basis.

Never engage in deliberate cross-breeding of bison with another species.

Not knowingly make false statements or fail to disclose a material fact requested in connection with marketing, advertising, and packaging.

This includes accurate labeling and no adulteration of product.

Observe the Bylaws of the Association and give freely of ourselves for the advancement of its objectives.

Provide adequate food, handling facilities and health care to ensure the well being of animals in care.

Not use animal cloning technology in any manner for the production of bison or bison meat products.

Not practice in-vitro fertilization or other artificial reproduction practices for any purpose other than scientific research.

Not deliver any animal into the custody of a person who in the opinion of the member does not have the facilities or ability to provide for the animals’ needs.

Give an honest description as to the age, health records and genetic background to the best of their knowledge of any animals they offer for sale.

Take precautions as necessary to prevent the spread of parasites or disease and treat sick or injured animals immediately to avoid undue suffering and if untreatable, humanely dispatch animals as soon as possible.

Any violation of this code by a member may be reported in full detail in writing to the Ethics Committee of the Association. If it is the opinion of the committee that a violation may have taken place, the committee will schedule a hearing to allow the member in alleged violation an opportunity to respond. If it is then the opinion of the Ethics Committee that the member did violate this code, the committee will present to the Board of Directors all details and make a recommendation to: (a) send the violating member a letter of reprimand, or (b) suspend the violating member for a period of time, or (c) expel the violating member from the Association. The recommendation will be adopted only after a majority vote by the Board of Directors. The member in alleged violation will have the right to provide testimony either in person or in writing to the Board of Directors prior to their decision.

In the event that the member who is alleged to have violated the code is on the Ethics Committee or the Board of Directors, that member shall abstain from all meetings, discussions and votes regarding his/her alleged violation. In all cases of an alleged violation, all details of the violation, hearing, recommendation of the committee and decision of the Board of a reprimand will be confidential. The only information released by the Board will be that a specified (named) member has been “suspended” or “expelled”.